Struggling Bradley back in lineup in sixth spot

Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu has Milton Bradley back in the starting lineup today, though the struggling outfielder has been dropped to sixth in the order for the home opener.

Milton Bradley

Bradley, hitting .048 with just one hit in 21 at-bats, was given the day off Sunday as Wakamatsu seeks to alleviate some of the self-imposed pressure the veteran has been feeling.

He opened the season hitting clean-up, but Wakamatsu now has third baseman Jose Lopez hitting fourth.

Lopez hasn’t gotten off to a scorching start either, hitting .179 with no RBIs and just a .207 on-base percentage.

Wakamatsu said Bradley wants to get off to a good start in his new situation in Seattle and has been pressing.

“I think he has expectations, just like everyone else,” the manager said. “I think he’ll settle into it. He’s starting to trust people in this clubhouse and I think he’ll be fine.”

Wakamatsu also said pitcher Cliff Lee will throw 60 pitches on Tuesday and throw a simulated game on Friday. Erik Bedard will throw a lighter bullpen Wednesday and then try to stretch out to 60 pitches on Friday.

Here’s the Mariners lineup for today’s home opener, with first pitch scheduled for 3:52 p.m.: